Accounting system.



F. 0. HEUSER.

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3. 1910. RENEWED JUNE 18, 1915.

1,169,078, f Patented Jan.18, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- wzifinesfiesr 1 5 Inventor wym Pia]; 0Y6a5e7 F. 0. HEUSER.

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 3. mm. RENEWED JUNE I8, I915.

1,169,078. I Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

With/e56 66' [71 U67ZZ'07T- 3WK 2M y fgifmw 0 Hie/Amer THE COLUMBIA PLANpGRAPH c0.. WASHINDTON. D. c.

F. 0. HEUSER;

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.3.1910- RENEWED JUNE 18, 1915.

1,169,078, 7 Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

' I 6 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

m I fiederL'c/Z 0 [Zeaser By I L I M w M fl Mame THE COLUMBIA PMNUHRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON, D. c. 1

FREDERICK 0. HEUSER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

UNITED s'rrirns PATENT ora ion.

TO WILLIAM R. I-IIELA'IH, F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnted Jan 18 1916.

Application filed January 3, 1910, Serial No. 536,120. :Renewed J'une 18, 1915. Serial No. 34,957.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK 0. Human,

v a citizen of the United States, residing at a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in accounting systems, and has particular reference to an electrically operated system for wage accounting and distribution of wages to a plurality of jobs.

In my copending application, Serial No.

495,717, filed May 13,1909, I have described" an accounting system in whlch the various wage registers are serially actuatedby elec tromagnetic means. These actuations are totalized in a total wage register, and by means of suitable connections job registers are included in the same circuits with'the wage registers, and the producing wages are thereby distributed to' a plurality of jobs,

and the non-producing wages are totalized in a waste-Wage register. Suitable provi-' sion is made so that the number of electrical impulses traveling to the actuating mech-' anism of any wage register is made to depend directly on the rate of wageswhich is assigned to the individual workman.

The general system employed III'thGPI'GS- ent invention is much the same as that in my -c0pending application Serial No. 495,717,

which has been briefly summarized in the above description.

It will be clear that when the rate of wages assigned to an individual workman is high, it'will be necessary to actuate the register a greater number of times in order to cause it to indicate the proper amount of wages. For example, if a workman receives sixty cents per hour, under ordinary circumstances it will be necessary to impart ten times as many actuationsto his register as would be the case'if he received but siX cents an hour.

By the provisions of my present invention, thenumber of actuations in the two cases would be the same, this result being accomplished by providing a shutter which normally covers a dummy units numeral wheel, thus causing the tens numeral wheel tobecome the units wheel. Thus, if in its normal or covered condition, the register read 6, when the shutter is removed the reading will be 60, although the number of actuations of the register has of course in the two cases been exactly the same. By

this simple mechanism it is possible to give a wide range to the readings of the register without making it necessary to actuate'the ferent rate according to the position in which the shutter on each register is placed.

In order to accomplish the desired result- I provldetwo electromagnetic actuating mechanisms in connection with each register, these mechanisms serving to actuate gears, one of which is in mesh with the tens numeral wheel of the totalizing register, and the other in mesh with the units numeral wheel. WVhen the shutter of the wage register is in its normal position, whereby the dummy units wheel is covered, the connection is made to the electromagnetic actuating mechanism of the totalizing register,so-that the units wheel is actuated. On the other hand, when the shutter is moved to the position in which the dummy numeral wheel is exposed, thereby causing the actual readings to be ten times the number of actuations, the connection is made with the electromagnetic actuating mechanism of the totalizing register which actuates the tens numeral wheel. As described hereafter, suitable mechanism is provided on the total izing register, so that the units and tens numeral wheels may beindependently actuated. 4 r

According to the system which I have formerly employed, and which is described in my copending application above mentioned, it has been the practice to provide a selector mechanism consisting of a number of conducting and non-conducting segments, a single conducting segment being connected with the circuit assigned to each individual workman. A rate switch has also been employed, which allows the circuit to be closed for a length of time proportional to the rate of wages assigned to the workman. For example, if a workman were to receive sixty cents an hour and the brush of the selector mechanism made contact with his particular segment sixty times in an hour, it is clear that provided one impulse corresponded to one cent of wages, the rate switch should be connected all of the time. On the other hand, if he received wages amounting to ten cents per hour the rate control would allow the circuit to be closed only once each six revolutions of the selector brush. It is thus evident that a large number of contacts which are made by the brush of the selector mechanism serve no useful purpose. In order to overcome this disadvantage I provide two or more selector mechanisms, the rotating brushes of which are actuated at different velocities. For example, if we had'two selector mechanisms they might well be operated so that the brush of one rotated'at a velocity twice that of the other, and instead of having a single selector mechanism where sixty contacts an hour were made on each individual segment, the first selector mechanism could have the contacts made at the above-mentioned rate, and the second at the rate of thirty contacts per hour. In this way only two out of three contacts will be unused as a means for closing the circuit associated with the wageregister and therefore actuating the same, whereas in the former case five out of siX of such contacts were unused. In place of two selector mechanisms I could employ as many as were desirable, these various mechanisms operatingat a plurality of velocities, so that all workmen receiving wages from ten to twenty cents per hour could have their circuits associ'ated with one selector mechanism, all workmen receiving from twenty to thirty cents with another, and so on.

It sometimes happens that it is desirable to increase the number of actuations to a greater extent than is provided for by the rate switch. In the case which we assumed above, the maximum rate of wages which a a man could receive was sixty cents per hour, inasmuch as the rate switch was closed continuously for this rate. Therate'could be doubled, however, by means of causing a single wage-controlling circuit to be closed, notonly when the brush of the selector mechanism comes in contact with a single segment, but also when it comes in contact with another segment which is connected with a sixty cent rate jack of the rate switch or rate control. T his result may conveniently be accomplished by providing a plug and conductor, the latter of which is connected to the segment which it is desired to include in the circuit. The circuit is closed a segment electrically connected with a jack 7 of the rate switch which allows ten impulses to pass to the segment is inserted in a jack associated with the circuit controlling the wage register. The use of these so-called addition plugs a'fiords a ready means for increasing a workmans wages as desired, inasmuch as the auxiliary segment which is to be electrically connected with the wagecontrolling circuit may be electrically con nected with a jack ofthe rate switch which will allow any desired number of additional impulses to pass through the wage circuit. Not only'may one auxiliary segment be thus included in the wage circuit, but any additional number may be similarly included, thus increasing the number of impulses indefinitely.

According to the system described in my copending application above mentioned, it isnecessa'ry for a clerk to take the readings of the various registers at the end of each pay period, and then to reset the registers to zero for further actuation during the next pay period. In mypresent invention I provide detachable registers or counters. At the end of each pay period, for example each week, a clerk may remove the registers and replace each register by one which has already been set back to zero. The register which has been removed may be retained forseveral days before resetting, so that in case of 'any dispute with workmen, reference may be made to the register in which the original actuations are recorded. As will be described hereafter, the register may be removed, with its carry-over wheels, or the carry-over wheels may be permanently mounted in the frame of the accounting machine and only that part of the register which comprisesits casing and numeral wheels and the associated parts may be removed. In connection with the job registers it is often preferable to remove the carry-over wheels with the register, and the register may then be decumulated, its

indication being transferred to a totaliz- 5l95fl17, filedMay 12, 1909, and his copending application Serial. No. 4%,895, filed August 4, 190 8. v r According to this system by which removable registers are used, the .wear on the actuating mechanism forthe registers is greatly reduced, in that it'is unnecessary to decumulate the registers by means of thesame mechanisinwith which they are originally actuated.

In order to make sure that a register is placed in its proper blankposition in the machine, pins are provided on each register which fit into corresponding holes or sockets in the machine. "For example, let us S11p-' pose that there are two, rows of possible positions in which the pins may be placed in order to fit into appropriate holes in the machine. If we use one pin in each row in which there are-ten possible positionsit is'evident that a hundred different combinations of positions in which the pins may be placed can'be obtained. That is, if ahundred workmen are employed, each workman can have his registers made with the pins in a different position from those 'on .everv" other register. Similarly, if three rows of possible positions are used, and one pin is placed in v.each row, a thousand di-ii erent combinations may be obtained. As will be explained hereafter, each register is provided with a. number corresponding to the number of the individual workman, or the job, and the use of pins acts as a check to absolutely prevent the register from being placed in the space allottedto a workman to whom the particular register is not assigned.

These and otlier'advantages of my invention will be more apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view representing my improved system as a whole. Fig. 2 is a plan and partly sectional view of a register and its associated actuating mechanism, the register being provided with a movable shutter. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 4-4: of Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2, the register being removed. Fig. 6 is a plan and partly sectional view of a. job register showing thetwo associated electromagnetic actuating mechanisms. Fig. 7 s a sectional view 'on the line 7-7 of F 1g. 6. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on theline 8-8 of Fig. 6. .Fig. 9 is afront elevation of the register shown in Fig.6. Fig. 10 is an elevation of a plug showing the method of numbering thesame. Fig. 11 is an end elevation of'the plug shown in Fig. 10.

. net 1 is mounted within the frame 2, and is provided with a core 3, the end of which acts as a pole to attract the armature 1 when the electromagnet 1 is energized. The armature at is pivotally mounted at 5. 1 i.sp:ing 6 .is attached on one end to the bracket 7 mounted on the framework 2, and on the other end to the armature 4, thus serving to keep the armature in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, further movement of the armature being prevented by means of the detent 6 Pivotally mounted near the free end. of the armature A is the link 8, providedon its end with the shoulder '9, which isadapted t c engage the teeth of the ratchet 10 rigidly attached to the gear 11 loosely mounted on the shaft 12. The shaft 12 is mountedon one end'in the bracket 7, and on the other end within one of the walls 13 which are connected with the main framework 2. A gravity pawl 14 engages the ratchet l0 and serves to prevent bacluvard movement of thisratchet and its associated suitably attached to a bracket .18 project- 111g from the wall 13, thus serving to normally throw the lever-to the left, as shown in Fig. 4, A similar lever 19 is pivotally attached tothe bracket 7 at the point 20, and the two levers 15 and 19 are rigidly connected by the bar 21, the object of which will be explained hereafter.

A removable register 22 is provided on eachside with a pin 23,.which is adapted eiiggage the slot 24 in each of the walls Extending between the walls 13, 13 is the cross member 25 which is engaged by the portion 26 of the register 22 when this register is placed in position. i v

A spring 27 attached atone end to the frame 2 by means of screws 28, is provided at its other end with the V-shaped bent portion 29, which engages the portion 26 of the register 22 and serves to hold the register in position When the end 29 ofthe spring 27 is depressed it is'clear thatthe register 22may be swung outwardly on the pins 23 i as pivots, and then readily disengaged from operation of the system 7 gears associated with the numeral wheels a, I), c and d, according to the well-known system. Collars 3-l are provided between the numeral wheels in order to cause the same to retain their correct positions.

When the register is placed in posltion, the gears associated with the numeral wheels (1-, b, c and (Z engage the carry-over wheels 31, and 33, but when the register is removed the carry-over wheels still remain in the framework. The register 22 is provided with a projection which engages the lever 15 and moves it to the position shown in Fig. -l-. hen the register is removed, however, the spring 17 becomes effective, and the connecting bar 21 engages the three carry-over wheels 31, and 33, and thus prevents them from rotating. On account of this engagement, the gears of the register 22 will immediately come into mesh with the carry-over wheels when the register is placed in position.

Rigidly mounted on the shaft 36 of the register 22 is a dummy numeral wheel 0, the numeral on this wheel which is exposed to view beingO. In order to normally cover this numeral on the dummy numeral wheel 6, a shutter 37, pivotally mounted-at 38, is provided. This shutter may be moved from its normal position, shown in Fig. 2, to its alternate position. shown in dotted lines, by means of the handle 89. The portion 4:0 of the shutter o7 acts as a switch blade, and is adapted to form connection, either with the contact 4:1 or ll mounted on the frame 2, according to the position in which the shutter 87 is placed. The cross member 25 is provided with two holes or sockets 12 and 43, which are placed in separate rows of arbitrarily assumed positions in this cross member. Each of these rows, as indicated in dotted lines, has ten arbitrary positions, in one of which each hole is placed.

Two pins 14: are provided on the portion 26 of the register 22, and are placed in such positions that they engage the holes 42 and 43 in the cross member 25.

Each individual workman has the pins of his register placed in a certain predetermined position, and by means of the device which we have just described it is impossible that his register should be engaged in the space which is assigned to any other workman, inasmuch as the holes 4:2 and in this space correspond in position to the position of the pins in his register, and do not correspond to the position of the pins in any other register. If desired, thenumber of rows may be increased so that the number of possible combinations is correspondingly increased, it being a simple matter to obtain a thousand or ten thousand different possible combinations.

The operation of the above-described register and its actuating mechanism may now be readily understood. Then the electromagnet l is energized, the armature t is attracted, and the shoulder 9 of the link 8 engaging a teeth of the ratchet 10, this ratchet is advanced one space, correspond.- ingly advancing the gear 11 and the gear 45 rigidly attached to the numeral wheel a, and with which the gear 11 is in mesh. When theelectromagnet 1 is deenergized, the spring 6 becomes effective in returning the armature i to its normal position against the detent 6, and the link 8 is moved to engage the next tooth of the ratchet 10, this ratchet being held from movement in a backward direction by means of the retaining pawl 14. When the shutter is in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2, it will be evident that the indications of the numeral wheels a, 7), 0 and (Z may be seen. For instance, the indication might be 124:7. On the other hand, when the shutter is moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the order of each numeral wheel will be raised by one, the original units numeral wheel. a becoming the tens numeral wheel, the tens b becoming the hundreds wheel, etc., and the reading, instead of being 1247, will be 12,470. Thus when the shutter 37 is in its alternate position shown in dotted lines, a single actuation of the register has the same value as ten actuations when the shutter is in its normal position shown in full lines.

I will next describe the form of register and actuating mechanisms therefor which are used in connection with totalizing and job registers, as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive. Mounted within the frame 46 are the electro-magnets a7 and 48, which are provided with the cores a9 and 50. A partition 51 is attached to the framework it; and separates the electromagnets from each other. Associated with the electromagnet 17 is the armature 52, which is normally held in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8 against the detent by means of the spring 54:. The armature 55 associated with the electromagnet 4:8 is similarly held in its normal position against the detent 56 by means of spring 57. Pivotally attached to the armature 52 is the link 58 which en gages, at its free end, the ratchet 59 rigidly connected to the gear 60 which is mounted on shaft 61. Similarly, the link 62 engages the ratchet 63 rigidly attached to gear (3% mounted on shaft 65. Extending between the walls 66, 66, attached to the main framework 46, is the cross member 67.

The register 68 is provided on its sides with the pins 69,which engage slots 70 in the walls 66, and with a portion 71 which engages the cross member 67, the spring 72 provided with the suitably bent end 73, serving to hold the register 68 in position. The register 68 is provided with numeral wheels'ct, Z), '0, cl and e. Rigidly connected with numeral wheel a" is the gear 74, which is in mesh with gear 64. Rigidly' and in the space thus formed the ratchet 81' is rigidly mounted onthe side of the numeral wheel Z). Pivotally mounted on the gear 78 is the retainingp'awl 82 controlled by the spring88. It is thus evident that the gear'75 and the numeral wheel b attached thereto may be moved in a contraclockwise direction independently of the gear 78. On the other hand, when the gear 78 is, actuated," the pawl 82 engaging the ratchet 81 causes the numeralwheel bto be rotated in a contra-clockwise direction, and the associated gear 60 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the link 58 riding over the teeth of the ratchet 59. y

' When the electromagnet 48 is energized, the armature is attracted, and the gear 64 is rotated in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the associated gear 74 to rotate in a contra-clockwise direction. As the units numeral wheel a continues to be rotated, the tens, hundreds, thousands and ten thousands numeral wheels 6, 0, d and 6 respectively are rotated in the well-known manner to give the total ,actuations of the register. WVhen the electromagnet 47 is energized, the armature 52 is attracted and the gear is rotated one step in a clockwise direction, rotating the tens numeral wheel 6' one step'in a contra-clockwise direction. It will therefore be apparent that a single energization of the electromagnet 47 is equivalent to ten energizations of the electromagnet 48. The carry-over wheels associated with the register 68 are mounted in the casing of this register, and, as eX- plained above, when the register is removed, the carry-over wheels are removed with it, and when the register is placed in position, the gears 74 and '75 are brought into mesh with the gears 64 and 60 respectively.

As shown in Fig. 9, in the front of the register 68 a groove 84 is provided, in which the slide 85 is adapted to be placed 'On this slide is placed the number of the register. The slide 85, after being inserted in the groove 84, is held in position by the screw 86, which engages the hole 87. A similar device may be used on the wage registers above described, if so desired. By removing the slide 85, the number ofthe register may readily be changed. In connection with the portion 71 of the register 68, pins may be used, as described in connection with the wage. register, which. may fit into corresponding holes in the cross member 67.

Having thus described the detailed construction of the registers and their actuating mechanism,used in connection with my system, I will now pass to a general description of the system as a whole, as shown in Fig. 1. Mounted on the shaft88 is the wage brush WB Which dips in the mercury trough MT. Also mounted on shaft 88 is the worm gear 89 in mesh with gear 90 mounted on the shaft .91. The speed of rotation of the shaft 88. which is suitably driven by a motor or main line shaft is such that the shaft 91 is rotated preferably at a speed of one revolution in two minutes. The

gear 9O has twenty-four teeth, so that twentyfour revolutions of the shaft 88 are necessary. in order to make one revolution of the shaft 91. That is, the speed of shaft 88 will be twelve revolutions per minute, and the wage brush WB will dip in the mercury trough MT twelve times per minute, or 7 20 time per hour. Also rigidly mounted on shaft 91 are the disks 92 and 98, which have a number of teeth on their peripheries corresponding to the number of actuations which itis desired to conmiunicate to the mecha nism connected with and driven by these disks. It will benoted that the teeth of the disk'93 are in a position corresponding to the blank periphery of the disk 92, and vice versa. According to this system, the number of disks mounted on the shaft 91 could be increased indefinitely. I

Mounted on the shaft 94 is the gear 95, the teeth of which are adapted to engage the teeth of the disk 92. It will be noted that, in the gear ratios shown, one revolution of the disk 92 will rotate the gear 95 two revolutions. Similarly, the gear 96 mounted on shaft 97 has teeth adapted to engage the teeth of the disk 93, and when the disk 93 is rotated once the gear 96 will also be rotated through one revolution. In this way it is clear that a single revolution, of the shaft 91 will cause the shaft 94 to be rotated through two revolutions, and the shaft 97 to be rotated through one revolution.

Shaft 98 is suitably connected by bevel gears with shaft 94, and is in turn connected by bevel gears withshaft 99 of the rate switch BS. The detailed construction of this rate switch RS has been described in my copending application Serial No. 495,717, so that, it is unnecessary to again describe it in this connection, inasmuch as it forms no part of the novelty of the present invention. Mounted on the shaft 98, and insulated from the connecting mechanism by the insulating section 100, are the brushes 101 and 102, which are adapted to make contact with the selector commutatorsSC and SC. These selector commutators are divided into a number of conducting and nonconducting segments, the number of conducting segments shown in Fig. 1 being 8.

The shaft 103 is connected by suitable bevel gearing with shaft 97. Mounted on shaft 103, but insulated from the connecting parts by the insulating section 101 are the brushes 105 and 106, which form connection with the selector commutators S6 and SC*.

Connected with shaft 88 is the conductor 107 leading to the rate switch RS; Associated with the rate switch is the rate jack board RJ having the jacks to J the series of jacks J representing a rate of wages of live cents per hour, as will be explained hereafter, and" the series of jacks 5" representing sixty cents per hour. Each workman is assigned a rate plug, as R1, which is adapted to be inserted in any of the jacks of the rate jack board RJ, according to the rate of wages which the workman is to be paid. The rate plug R1 is connected by the conductor 108 with one of the conducting segm'ents of the selector commutator SC. Attached to the corresponding conducting segment of the selector commutator 8C is the conductor 109,- which leads to the switch S assigned to the same workman: Conductor 110 leads from the switch S to the actuating mechanism of the wage register W. Similarly, the rate plugs of worhmen 2 to 5 are connected with appropriate conducting segments of the selector commutator 1, and conductors 109 lead from corresponding segments of the selector commutator S0 to the switches S S The switches S S are also connected with wage registers by means of conductors 110.

Rate plugs RP RP, on the other hand, are connected by conductors 111 with appropriate conducting segments of the selector commutator SO Conductors 112 lead from corresponding conducting seg ments of the selector commutator SC to the switches S S It will be noted that rate plugs RP and RP are connected through their respective conductors 111 with conducting segments of the selector commutators 8C and SC respectively, whereas the corresponding conducting segments of the selector commututors SC and SC are connected through suitable conductors 113 and 11st with the so-callcd addition plugs A" and A respectively. The addition jacks JA and JB are provided in series with each of the conductors 109 and 112 respectively. The ob ject of these addition jacks will be explained hereafter.

In connectlon with each wage register 11 1V is provided the shutter 37, as explained above. This shutter may be in its normal position covering the dummy units numeral wheel, as shown in connection with the registers V WV", and or may be moved to its alternate position exposing the dummy numeral wheel to view, as shown in registers 1V, W WV, and 11. Associated with each shutter 37 are the two contacts 4-1 and 4-1. \Vllen the shutter is in its normal position the conductor 110, after affording connection with the windings of the electromagnet 1 of the wage register, passes to the shutter 37, the portion -10 of the shutter thereby affording electrical conn'e'ction between the conductor 110 and the contact 41. Leading from the contact =11 are the conductors 115, each of these conductors 115 leading to the sleeve contacts of the job plugs JP JP On the other hand, when the shutter 37 is in its alternate position, the portion 10 of the shutter affords electrical connection between the conductor 110 and the contact 4:1. The conductors 116 lead from each contact 11 to the tip cont acts of the job plugs JP JP".

1 provide a series of job jacks JJ JJ each series of jacks being associated with job registers J J A conductor 117 leads from the tip contacts of each series of jacks to the electromagnet 48 associated with each of the job registers J J On the other hand, a conductor 118 leads from the sleeve contacts 01" each series of acks to the electromagnet 47 associated with each of the registers J a J Conductor 119 leads from the electromagnet 48 of the job register J, and each of the electromagnets 18 of registers J J are connected in multiple to this conductor 119.

When any one of the plugs J P J P is not inserted in one of the jacks of the series JJ JJ the plug is inserted in one of the waste-wage jacks J U one of these jacks being assigned to each of the ten workmen whose job plugs are represented as JP JP As in the case of the job jacks JJ JJ each of the wastewage jacks J H has a tip and sleeve contact. When the shutter of the corresponding wage register forms connection with the contact 11, electrical connection is established between the conductor 110 and the conductor 115 leading to the sleeve of one of the plugs JP JP hen the plug, as J1, is inserted in its jack J electrical connection will thereby be established between conductor 110 and the sleeve contact of the jack. The sleeve contacts of all of the jacks W'J \VJ are connected in multiple with the con ductor 120 which leads to the electromagnet 47 of the waste-wage register WVWV. Similarly, when the shutter forms connection with the contact 41 associated with any wage register, the corresponding job plug forms an electrical connection with the tip contact of the waste-wage jack in which it may be inserted. All of the tip-contacts of the waste-wage jacks are connected in multiple by the conductor 121 whichleads to the electromagnet 48 associated with the waste-wage register VVWV. Conductor 122 leads from the electromagnet 48-of the waste-wage register 1V to the conductor 119.

Conductor 123 'leads-tronrthe electromagnet 47 of the job register J and the electro magnets 47 of all of the other job registers J J are connectedill-multiple to this conductor 123. Conductor 124, leading from electro-magnet 47 ofthewaste-wage register 1 7, is also connected to the conductor 123. I V I have mentioned the waste-wage jacks J U as being adapted to receive the job plugs JP, J-P in .a manner similar to that in which the job jacks JJ J J receive these plugs. Itis a simple matter,

however to arran e the waste-wa e 'acks so that the contacts are formed when the job plugs 'JP J P arein their plug seats, so that it is unnecessaryato make any special insertions ot the plugs in jacks, but when the plug is withdrawn from its job jack it automatically forms contact with the circuit controlling the waste-wage register when it is allowedto drop back into its plug seat.

The conductor 119 leads to the electromagnet 48 of the total wage register VT, and the conductor 123 leads to the electromagnet 47 of the same register. Conductors 125 and 126 leading from-the electromagnets 48 and 47 respectively,'are oined to the conductor 127 which leadsto the electric main 128. The conductor 129 leads from the main 130 to the mercury inthe mercury trough MT. I I

The operation of my system may now'be clearly understood. When a workman, for example, workman 1, starts work, he first closes the switch S and if his rate plug RP is not already inserted in one of the jacks J J he inserts it in the proper jack, which, if he received five cents per hour, would be J". In order to understand clearly the operation of thevarious parts we will next trace the electric circuit which controls the various registers which will now be actuated.

The current starts from the main 130 and passes through the conductor 129 to the mercury in the mercury trough MT. The wage brush VVB dips in the mercury trough, as explained above, at the rate of 720 times per hour. When the brush is in the. mercury, current will pass along the shaft 88 to the conductor 107, and thence to the rate switch RS. The rate switch is so constructed that it allows-the flow of electric impulses generated by the brush VJB, only for a number of times proportional to the rate of wages which the workman is to receive. When contact is made through the rate switch RS" the current'fiows through rate plug RP, and then through conductor 108 to a conductingsegment of the selector commutator SC i According to the mechanism which has already been described, the brush 101 successively forms contact withthe various conducting segments of this selector commutator. -According to the gear relations which are shown in-Fig. 1 and the speed of rotation of the shafts 88 and 91 which we have assumed, the brush 101 will make contact with each of the eight conducting segmentsonceeach minute. Each impulse which actuates a wage register is, forpurposes of convenience, assumed to represent one cent, so that it will now be clear that to receive five cents per hour, workman'l must have the circuit closed only one-twelfth of the sixty times per hour which the brush makes contact with his conducting segment of the selector commutator SC As mentioned above, this result is obtained by means of the rate switch RS. From the conducting segment of the selector commutator SC the current passes through brush 101 and shaft 98 to the brush of selector commutator 36 then through the corresponding conducting segment of this commutator, and through conductor 109 to the switch S This switch being closed, the current passes through conductor 110 to the actuating mechanism of the wage register The shutter 37 7 being placed in the position shown, the current passes through the portion 40 of the shutter, then through conduct-or 115 to the sleeve contact of the job plug JP If this ob plug is inserted in the jack W J the current passes through conductor 120 to the electromagnet 47 which actuates the Waste-wage register vVVV. The current then passes through conductors 124 and 123 to the electromagnet 47 of the total wage register WT, and then through conductors 126 and 127 to the main 128, thus completing the circuit. v

If the job plug JP is inserted in any of the series of jacks JJ J J as, for example, J J, the current passes through conductor 118 to the electromagnet 47 of the job register J then through conductor 123 to the electromagnet 47 of the total wage register VT, and then through the conductors 126 and 127 to the main 128, thus completing the circuit through a second path.

If instead of being paid five cents per hour, workman 1 were to be' paid fifty cents per hour, the shutter 87 would be moved to its alternate position, the portion 40 of this shutter making connection with the contact 41. The current would then pass from the electromagnet of the wage register V through the conductor 116 to the tip contact of the job plug JP If this plug is inserted in jack J the current will pass through conductor 121 to the electromagnet 48 of the waste-wage register WVlV, then through conductor 122 to conductor 119, and to the electromagnet 18 of the total wage register \VT, thence through the conductors 125 and 127 to the main 128, thus completing the circuit through a third path. If the job plug J P is inserted in one of the jacks JJ, the current will pass through conductor 117 to the electromagnet 48 of the job register J, thence through conductor 119 to the electromagnet 1-8 of the total wage register WT, and thence through conductors 125 and 127 to the main 128, thus completing the circuit through a fourth path.

Let us now take the case of workman (3. His plug RP is inserted in any of the jacks J J, for example, J and his switch S is closed. The plug RP is connected through conductor 111 with a conducting segment of the selector commutator SC Now, according to the gear ratios which are shown, the brush 105 makes contact with the conducting segments of selector commutater SO only half the number of times which the brush 101 makes contact with the conducting segments of the selector commutator SL or thirty times per hour. The rate switch RS allows the number of impulses fiowing to the series of jacks J to be. one-sixth of the number if the circuit through the rate switch were continuously closed. The number of impulses passing to any one conducting segment of the selector commutator SC would therefore be onesixth of thirty, or five, and workman 6 would therefore be paid the same wages as workman 1 in the case which we assumed above. From the conducting segment of the selector commutator 8C the current may be traced through shaft 103 to the selector commutator SC", and thence through the actuating mechanisms of the wage and job regis ters in exactly the same manner as described in connection with the circuit of workman 1.

Now let us assume that workman 1 is to be paid sixty-five cents per hour. The rate plug RP might then be inserted in the jack J, and one of the rate plugs RP should then be inserted in the jack J 5 and the corresponding addition plug A? would be inserted in one of the addition jacks JA associated with conductor 109 of workman 1s circuit. In this way the impulses flowing through conductor 109 would equal the number flowing directly through the conducting segment of selector commutator 2 assigned to workman 1, or sixty impulses, plus the number of impulses flowing through the conducting segment associated with the addition plug A, or five, giving sixty-five as the total number of impulses, and workman 1 would therefore be paid sixty-five cents per hour. If it were desired to pay him seventy-five cents per hour, this result could be accon'iplished by inserting a second plug RP in a jack J and a corresponding second addition plug A in a second jack JA associated with conductor 109. It will be evident from this description that great flexibility is possible in assigning the rates of wages to the various workmen.

It is often desirable that the various plugs assigned to different workmen should be clearly distinguishable to prevent confusion in the use of the plugs. For this reason I often find it of advantage to place the number of the workman on each plug in the manner shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the numbers being placed both on the portion 131 and the portion 132 of the shoulder member 133 of each plug, and in this way the numbers are always visible in whatever positionthe plug may be placed.

It is evident that many changes could be made in the detailed construction of the system and mechanisms which I have described, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

hat I claim is:

1. In an accounting system, the combination of a first indicating register, an actuating mechanism for said register, means for selectively varying the numerical value of the actnations of said register, a second register, a plurality of actuating mechanisms for said second register, and means for connecting the actuating mechanism of the first register with one of the actuating mechanisms of the second register so that the numerical value of the actuations of said registers will be the same.

2. In an accounting system, the combination of a first indicating register, an actuating mechanism for said register, means for selectively changing the value 01 the actuations of said register, a second indicating register, a plurality of actuating mecha nisms associated with said register, and means for selectively connecting the actuating mechanism of the first register with one of the actuating mechanisms of the second register so that the actuations of said registers will have the same numerical value.

3. In an accounting system, the combina tion of a wage register, an actuating mechanism for said register, means for selectively varying the numerical value of the indications oi. said register, a job register, a plurality of actuating mechanisms for said job register, and means for connecting the actuating mechanism of the wage register with one of the actuating mechanisms of the job register so that the actuations of said registers will have the same numerical value.

operatively connected with said totalizing register,,and means for selectively connecting the actuating mechanism of each indicating register "with one of the actuating mechanisms of said totalizing register, so that the actuations of the totalizing register will have the same numerical value as the sum of the actuations ofthe individual indicating registers.

In an accounting system, the combination ofa source of electric current, an indicating register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, means for selectively varying the numerical value of the actuationsof said register, a second register,

a plurality of electromagnetic actuating mechanisms for said second register, and

means for selectively connecting the actuating mechanism of the first register With one of the actuating mechanisms of the second register so that .the actuations of said registers will have the same numerical value.

3 6. In an accounting system, the combination of a source of electric current, a Wage register, an; electromagnetic actuating mechanism for saidregister, means for selectively varying the numerical valueof the actuationsof said. register, a job register, a plurality ofelectromagnetic actuating mechanisms for said-job register, and means for selectively connecting .the actuating mechanism of Said Wage register with .one of the actuating mechanisms otsaidjob register so that the actuations o fsaid registers will have the same numerical value.

7." In an accounting system, the combination of a source ofelectric current, aplurality of wage registers, an electromagnetic .actuatingmechanism for each of said registers, means for selectively changing the numerical value of the actuations of each of said registers, a plurality of job registers, a plurality of electromagnetic actuating mechanisms-for each of said registers, a totalizing register, a plurality of electromagneticactu- .ating mechanisms for said totalizing register, the actuating mechanisms of each job and the totalizing register adapted to actuate numeral wheels. of diflerent. orders, and meansfor selectively'connecting the actuating mechanismofeach of said wage registers with one of the actuating mechanisms of a join register and one of the actuating mechanlsms of the totalizing register so that the actuations of said Wage, job and totalizing registers will have the same numerical value. V

. ,SrIn an accounting system, a plurality of electromagnetic actuating mechanisms, a removable indicating register adapted to be brought into operative connection with a corresponding actuating mechanism, means for retainingthe register in said connection,

and means for preventing the register from being brought into operative connection with the other actuating mechanisms.

9. Inan accounting system, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism having a supporting frame, an engaging member on said frame, aremovable indicating register having an engaging portion adapted to fit the engaging member of said frame," and means for retaining said register in its engaging position.

10. In an accounting system, the combination of a plurality of electromagnetic actuating-mechanisms, each mechanism having an engaging member of a predetermined form, a plurality of removable indicating registers, each register having a portion of predetermined form adapted to engage only with an actuating mechanism having an engaging memberof a corresponding form, and means for retaining said register in operative connection with said actuating mechanism. s

I 11- In an accounting system, the combination or a plurality of actuating mechanisms, each mechanism having an engaging member with a hole in a predetermined position, a removable indicating register with an engaging portion having a pin projecting therefrom in a predeterminedposition corresponding to the position of the hole in the engaging member of the frame of the actuating mechanism with which engagement is to be made, said pin thereby preventing engagement of the register with an actuating mechanism not having a hole in the position corresponding to the position of said pin on the register, and means for retaining said register in operative connection with said actuating mechanism.

12; In an accounting system, the combination of a source of electric impulses, a plurality of indicating registers, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for each of said registers, means for successively connecting the actuating mechanisms of-said registers with said source of impulses, means for selectively varying the number of impulses passing to the actuating'mechanism ofeach register at each of said connections, and auxiliary connecting means associated with the successive connecting means .for affording additional connection between the actuating mechanism of any of said registers and said source, for a predetermined number of impulses. I

13. In an accounting system, the combination of a source of electric impulses, a

registers, a selector mechanism for successively connecting the actuating mechanisms of said wage registers with the source of impulses, a rate switch for selectively varying the number of impulses flowing to each register during its connection with the selector mechanism, and auxiliary connecting means associated with said selector mechanism for allowing the flow of an additional predetermined number of impulses to the actuating mechanism of any of said wage registers.

1%. In an accounting system, the combination of a source of electric impulses, a plurality of wage registers, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for each of said registers, a selector mechanism comprising a plurality of conducting segments and a rotating brush for successively connecting each of said segments with said source of impulses, means connecting the actuating mechanism of each of said wage registers with a corresponding segment of the selector mechanism, a rate switch for controlling the number of impulses flowing to each of said conducting segments of said selector mechanism, and auxiliary means for connecting the actuating mechanism of any of said registers with an additional conducting'segmerit, thereby allowing the flow of additional impulses to said register.

15. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a plurality of wage registers, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for each of said registers, a plu 'ality of selector mechanisms each having a plurality of conducting segments, means connecting the actuating mechanism of each of said registers with a conducting segment of one of said selector mechanisms, a rate switch electrically connected with the source of impulses to allow the flow of a plurality of predetermined numbers of impulses, means for successively connecting each of the conducting segments of the selector mechanisms with the rate switch to allow the passage of a predetermined number of impulses during said connection, and means for causing each selector mechanism to make a predetermined number of connections with said rate switch during a predetermined length of time.

16. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a plurality of wage registers, an electromagnetic actuating mecha nism for each of said registers, a plurality of selector mechanisms each having a plurality of conductin segments, means connecting the actuating mechanism of each of said registers with a conducting segment of one of said selector mechanisms, a rate switch electrically connected with the source of impulses to allow the flow of a plurality of predetermined numbers of impulses. means for successively connecting each of the conducting segments of the selector magnetic actuating mechanism for each of said registers, and a plurality of plugs for establishing connection between the actuating mechanisms of said registers and the source of current, each of said plugs having identifying characters thereon.

18. In an accounting system, the combination of a supporting frame having register receptacles, electromagnetic actuating devices associated with each receptacle, and registers having devices for engaging said actuating devices, said registers beinginter changeable in said receptacles.

19. In an accounting system, the combination of a supporting frame having regis ter receptacles, electromagnetic actuating devices associated withthe receptacles, registers having devices for'engaging said actuating devices, said registers being interchangeable insaid receptacles, and means for retaining the devices in engagement.

20. In an accountingsystem, a source of electric impulses, two sets of registersQand switching mechanism for connecting each of the registers of one set in condition for actuation a different number of times per unit of time from the number or times each of the registersof the other set is similarly connected by said switching mechanism.

21. In an accounting system, the combination of two sets of registers, time-con trolled mechanism, and devices for establishing an operative condition of each of the registers of one set a certain number of times for each unit of time different from the number of times that each register of the other set is similarly connected by said devices in the same unit of time. v

22. In an accounting system, the combination of a plurality of registers, time-controlled mechanism, and devices for connecting a desired one of said registers with said time-controlled mechanism for actuation directly into either of two orders of value of said register.

23. In an accounting system, the combination of a plurality of registers, time-controlled mechanism, and devices for connecting a desired one of said registers with said time-controlled mechanism for actuation at a raterepresenting either one of two orders of value of said register.

2%. In an accounting mechanism, the combination of a plurality of registers, timecontrolled mechanism,'devices for connecting a desired one of said registers-With said time controlled mechanism for actuation at a rate representingeither one of two orders of value of said register, and mechanism for indicating the value of operation of the selected register depending upon'the' operating value of the connection established. a

25. In an accounting-system, the combination of a supporting frame-having register receptacles, carry-over gears mounted in said receptacles for engaging-"detachable registers, actuating devices associated With the receptacles, and registers having devices for engaging said actuating devices and at the same time engaging said carry-over gears, said registers being interchangeable in said receptacles.

26. In an accounting system, the comb.- nation of a supporting frame having register receptacles, carry-over gears mounted in said receptacles for engaging detachable registers, electromagnetic actuating devices associated with the receptacles, and'registers having devices for engaging said electro-' magnetic actuating devices and at the same time engaging said carry-(wer gears, said registers being interchangeable in said receptacles. 7

Copies cof this patent may be obtained for tion of a supporting frame having register receptacles, electromagnetic actuating de vices associated with the receptacles for operating registers in either of two orders of value, registers 'having; devices forv engaging said electromagnetic actuating devices, and indicating devices for indicating upon the registers the value of the order, of

actuation, said registers being interchangeable in said receptacles.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscrlbe my name this 31st day of December, A. D. 1909;

FREDERICK O. HEUSER.

Witnesses:

HENRY M. HUXLEY, J. S. ABBOTT.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

